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Mineralogy, geochemistry, and Nd isotope composition of the Rainbow hydrothermal field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

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Abstract

Petrological, geochemical, and Nd isotopic analyses have been carried out on rock samples from the Rainbow vent field to assess the evolution of the hydrothermal system. The Rainbow vent field is an ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal system located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge characterized by vigorous high-temperature venting (∼365°C) and unique chemical composition of fluids: high chlorinity, low pH and very high Fe, and rare earth element (REE) contents (Douville et al., Chemical Geology 184:37–48, 2002). Serpentinization has occurred under a low-temperature (<270°C) retrograde regime, later overprinted by a higher temperature sulfide mineralization event. Retrograde serpentinization reactions alone cannot reproduce the reported heat and specific chemical features of Rainbow hydrothermal fluids. The following units were identified within the deposit: (1) nonmineralized serpentinite, (2) mineralized serpentinite—stockwork, (3) steatite, (4) semimassive sulfides, and (5) massive sulfides, which include Cu-rich massive sulfides (up to 28wt% Cu) and Zn-rich massive sulfide chimneys (up to 5wt% Zn). Sulfide mineralization has produced significant changes in the sulfide-bearing rocks including enrichment in transition metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, and Co) and light REE, increase in the Co/Ni ratios comparable to those of mafic Cu-rich volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits and different 143Nd/144Nd isotope ratios. Vent fluid chemistry data are indicative of acidic, reducing, and high temperature conditions at the subseafloor reaction zone where fluids undergo phase separation most likely under subcritical conditions (boiling). An explanation for the high chlorinity is not straightforward unless mixing with high salinity brine or direct contribution from a magmatic Cl-rich aqueous fluid is considered. This study adds new data, which, combined with the current knowledge of the Rainbow vent field, brings compelling evidence for the presence, at depth, of a magmatic body, most likely gabbroic, which provides heat and metals to the system. Co/Ni ratios proved to be good tools used to discriminate between rock units, degree of sulfide mineralization, and positioning within the hydrothermal system. Deeper units have Co/Ni <1 and subsurface and surface units have Co/Ni >1.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Claudio Cermignani (University of Toronto) for technical and analytical support with the EPMA and Prof. Martin Sinha (NOC), Gabriela Henriques, and Yannick Beaudoin for improving the English. The manuscript benefited significantly from constructive comments and suggestions from Bernd Lehmann. Fundação Para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) provided funds for the study through Project SEAHMA (FFCUL/FCT-PDCTM/P/MAR/15281/1999) and a Ph.D. scholarship (SFRH/BD/2978/2000) given to A. F. A. Marques. A. F. A. Marques also benefited from a student research grant from the Society of Economic Geologists Foundation. V. Chavagnac was funded by the 2000 National Oceanography Centre, Southampton Research Fellowship. The NERC core strategic science funds the hydrothermal research at NOCS.

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  1. CREMINER/Departamento de Geologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício C6, Piso 4, Campo Grande, Lisboa, 1749-016, Portugal

    A. F. A. Marques & F. Barriga

  2. National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK

    V. Chavagnac

  3. IFREMER, Centre de Brest, Plouzané BP 70, Plouzané, 29280, France

    Y. Fouquet

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  1. A. F. A. Marques
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Correspondence to A. F. A. Marques.

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Marques, A.F.A., Barriga, F., Chavagnac, V. et al. Mineralogy, geochemistry, and Nd isotope composition of the Rainbow hydrothermal field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Miner Deposita 41, 52–67 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-005-0040-8

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